Let's Discuss: "Mundane Over Magical" - Thoughts from an Animist

[@TheVerdantSorcerer]

As a fellow animist, whenever someone says "mundane before magical" I respond with "the mundane is magical". Take the cup that I'm currently drinking from. It is created from clay from the earth, and various elements that make up its glazes, it's imbued with the creative energy of the potter that spent their time, effort, and creativity bringing its form into being. The cup is the combined forces of earth in the clay, water to make it malleable, the air that stabilised its form as it dried, the fire that solidified it, and the spirit given by the potter to birth it into existence. Everything is magical if you take the time to really look at it.

[@StayStitching]

Yes! Of course they cross over. Everyday life is full of magic. I think one of the things that makes a witch a witch is the ability to see the magic all around them. I also believe that believing there is magic in the mundane brings about the things we are working towards more readily.

[@Altonahk]

I've always felt that the phrase "As above, so below." works both ways. "As below, so above." I believe all magic is based on this interplay, even if most don't say this.

[@RoundtheCauldron]

That was an interesting discussion, for sure! I really like the way you presented this video and your thoughts on the subject in general. When I lived in Oregon, going to see the waterfalls that were close to my house was always magical and it is a great example of the experience. I now have some massive oak trees in my yard and they definitely have their distinct personalities and energies. There is magic all around us and we can't dismiss everything as just "mundane" first.

[@TheOakWitch]

Definitely super jealous you have massive oaks in your yard! 😋

[@BeverleyButterfly]

I loved this so much I feel the same the mundane is magical finding that in every moment is what makes me a witch xx

[@alianathefoxfairy]

I love this and I 100% agree! I've always been able to see the magick and energy in everything around me and I hate how people think you have to separate the two. I do think that it is dangerous to think that every dream you have has some kind of magickal meaning or every thing you notice around you is a sign of some kind. It absolutely could be, but there is such a thing as coincidence, and the mind is so complex we don't understand everything about the subconscious or dreams; so I do think it is imperative that we remember that sometimes things are just as they seem. That's what I've been taught that "mundane over magickal" means, anyway.

[@vyvianearmstrong6579]

I agree with you that energetically they are not different, the mundane or magical. There is very little separation in my life between the two. I do want to add that it's often stressed in justice, activism and BIPOC forward witchcraft that "Magic is a Tool Of The Oppressed" Along those lines when we, as a collective community, drum on mundane first, we are often forgetting that not everyone is safe, has access to medical care, is part of a just society, has options or assess to what we often consider standard mundane options. Healthcare is still a luxury here in the United States, our cops our corrupt, and true justice is rare. Frost that with far-right politics and inherent racism and trying to throw a curse or eat some root out of our backyard suddenly doesn't sound as dangerous when compared to our other "mundane" options.

[@TheOakWitch]

Of course, I agree with you 100%. And there is no doubt, there is a lot of nuance when it comes to those important issues! I do apologise if I came across like I was saying otherwise.

[@vyvianearmstrong6579]

@@TheOakWitch and I didn't mean to come across as critique of you, I meant "we" as in the whole Pagan/Polytheist/Witch community.

[@emilyatarot]

I am also an animist folk practitioner so I'd love to see more videos like this! I do agree with you though. For me, finding the magic in the mundane is a huge part of my practice and my beliefs. I do think people tend to separate the two way too often.

[@EmilysTarotandMagick]

This was really interesting. I definitely agree with your thoughts on this and how the mundane and the Magickal can cross over in a very holistic kind of way! Brilliant video! Thank you for sharing 🙏 😊 Xx

[@CedarMoonWitch]

I always tell people that there is magic in the mundane, if they’re only willing to look for it!

[@dexaria]

I like to see it as mundane AND magical. To me there’s no point magically cleansing a space if I don’t also physically clean it. The only exception is spell ingredients; I will ALWAYS check the toxicity/safety of things in a mundane way before even thinking about using it magically

[@lizhadley3803]

I feel like the word we need to add to this discussion is relationship. What kind of deeper relationship are we creating with parts of the physical/mundane world to the point that it's no longer mundane? We can certainly see this kind of relationship being built with nature, but I think electronic or machine objects can be included as well. How many people feel like they have a spiritual or emotional connection with their car? We name our car, we know how he/she/it handles, we can interact with parts of our car without really thinking about it. We may even talk to our car, encouraging it to keep going through difficult driving conditions, and yes, we even mourn when the time comes to part with the car because it can no longer function safely. Some might say that this is anthropomorphism, but I know that cars don't "behave" for strange drivers the way they do for their regular driver.

[@caryzia]

Yet Another gem of a video...too early in the morning for me to extrapolate (watched video last night w/ my GF). I do want to convey that:You are Our favorite Witch on TubeYou! Hands down...you are articulate/ humorous/ Authentic! Not to mention Informative/succinct!

[@caryzia]

I didn't realize you were on Instagram,which I just joined a few weeks ago...I be TranZ~Witch on there. YOU should do a Book!

[@TheOakWitch]

Thank you so much for all the kind words!

[@turtlepride]

You literally just spoke my entire belief. I used to be more involved with Roman Catholicism, and this spirit and magic you refer to, is what I used to call God. However, I started missing practices to hold on to and sometimes the word “God” became too extensive and complicated for me. Since it also referred to my own spirit and energy and fate. It was something I could feel, but never something I could understand, and that would at times make me feel a bit lost. Plus it was a faith. Literally having faith (in things and life). But then while I was already doing poorly and covid was starting, I got diagnosed with cancer, and as a result I completely lost that faith. I’m getting it back now, but witchcraft seems like something I can hold onto more. And it seems to connect much more to how I’ve always seen religion, belief and life to begin with anyways. Though when I leaned that you can be religious and practice witchcraft, that gave me even more hope and a warm spark of a feeling. I’m really really new to everything. I’ve been binging on information and research for the last 3 days and plan to really get into witchcraft and start practicing. And I just genuinely want to thank you for all your videos and your natural way of explaining things in an intersectional, academic, open minded and respectful way. You’ve already helped me out a lot!

[@TheOakWitch]

I'm so glad that the videos have helped you on your journey! The moment when things start to click and make sense is such a wonderful feeling.

[@evamei9030]

Funny how this video popped up. I have precancer cells and I'm getting them removed next month. My practice right now is based off keeping peace in my home so i can prepare for the procedure and have a relaxing environment afterwards. Most of my work involves cleaning, dusting, and getting a shopping list together so I dont have to do any heavy lifting later.

[@BellBookandCandle13]

This is how I think of it. We are both physical and spirit beings or spiritual beings ( whichever phrase suits one) and in this world there are both within all things, all nature, universe at all times as well so it would make sense to me that my craft, my magic, is also tied into the physical and spiritual realm, both the mundane and magical. I don't walk around in a cloud of magic = every mundane thing I do head space, that's a lot 24/7, sometimes one just has to be in their moment of mundane realities and set aside everything is magical thinking but can something mundane become magic and/or magical certainly. Have you ever seen 'for water like chocolate'? recommend to anyone. there are aspects in this film that ties into mundane and magical ties. In this film it will relate to cooking and family and loved ones. I love magical realism films and this one is truly a classic.

[@Amanda-CNH]

Have you ever read The Secret Life of Plants? It goes thru several scientific experiments over the years that actually prove that plants have a level of consciousness.

[@TheOakWitch]

No I haven't but its high up on my TBR list! It's on Scribd so I've been keen to check it out 😁 It sounds like an amazing read.

[@Rifolas]

Love me some quality rambling

[@Msionie123]

Good video x

[@Sonic-dogmagic]

Silly, but whenever I park my car in a shopping center parking lot that has trees planted in raised grassy areas, I feel so sorry for the trees, dealing with all the traffic and the heat waves coming up from the asphalt parking spaces. 😢

[@corndog5361]

I've been trying to watch this for about 5 hours now and I'm at 0:08, this video probably had interesting content unfortunately il never know because now I have to throw my phone as hard as I can at something

[@kathleenroberts7972]

Mundane/ magical = balance.